Abstract:We all have heard people talking about Stem Cells, about their revolutionary role in medicine, the wonders they can do in wound healing and organ regeneration, yet also about their controversial source. Politicians, clergy, business men and women, lobbyists, pro- and anti- life advocates, (pharma) industry, medical professionals, everyday people - everyone seems to advocate or oppose Stem Cells for their own agenda. No other biomedical topic is discussed in such intensity and diversity. But what are stem cells exactly? Where do they come from? What can and what can we not do with them? What do we hope for? And importantly, what is the Christian perspective on the use of stem cells? My goal is to provide the audience with basic scientific knowledge and current and future stem cell therapy possibilities to aid patients and physicians in making their decisions, but also to give everyone the right arguments to join the discussions - pro or contra!

Biography:

Sandra is an Assistant Professor at Baylor College of Medicine. Her PhD is in biochemistry and she has been interested in basic science research for more than 20 years. Although she does not directly work with stem cells, she is fascinated by these cells and has thus dedicated much of her time to discuss their potential within and outside academia. She is originally from Vienna, Austria, but has lived in Texas since 1995 where she met my husband Rob who is from The Netherlands. Besides work, Sandra and her husband are competitive ballroom dancers.